As a construction expert at this point in my career, I found the column inches of Stephen Stuart’s construction code reflections worth a read.  It was quickly apparent he hasn’t been on a new construction site for a while.

The homes I’m asked to build contain so much insulation we have to oversize the framing members, have enough rebar in the concrete to build 10 vertical stories, enough outlets to prevent potential extension cords that you don’t use half of them, structural requirements that can withstand weather we will never see, whole-house energy requirements that are challenging to meet, decks that you could load Chicago Bears squad onto them safely, and drainage and waterproofing systems that are predictably floodproof.

Every time it snows, rains, sleets, nasty winds blow and the sun bakes paint off the siding, I can’t speak for others, but the code we are asked to build to is a product I’m proud to produce and in no situation consider it a “D- product.”

Chuck Petersheim
Milford PA